randomized controlled trial
Also written as: RCT — randomized controlled trial
A research study design where participants are randomly assigned to treatment groups, considered the gold standard for testing psychiatric interventions.
Full Definition
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a prospective experimental study design in which participants are randomly allocated to receive either an active treatment, placebo, or standard care. In psychiatric research, RCTs are considered the most rigorous method for evaluating the efficacy and safety of new treatments, as randomization minimizes selection bias and confounding variables, allowing for causal inferences about treatment effects.
Usage
Usage note: Lowercase when used descriptively; can be abbreviated as RCT after first mention.
In Context
- "This 12-week randomized controlled trial compared the new antidepressant to placebo in 300 patients." — Study design description
- "The RCT demonstrated superior efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy over usual care." — Research findings